Question 1

The ancient Greeks attributed the symptoms of conversion disorder to a "wandering uterus."

Accepted Answer

The ancient Greeks believed that symptoms of conversion disorder were caused by the uterus wandering around the body, which they called "hysteria."

Question 2

Almost 1 in 2 adults have experienced symptoms of depersonalization or derealization at some point.

Accepted Answer

According to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry, it is estimated that almost 1 in 2 adults (46%) have experienced symptoms of depersonalization or derealization at some point in their lives.

Question 3

Dissociation is a common experience.

Accepted Answer

Dissociation is a common experience and can be described as a disconnection between thoughts, feelings, memories, and sense of identity. It can occur as a normal reaction to stress, trauma or other overwhelming experiences, but can also be a symptom of mental health conditions such as dissociative disorders.

Question 4

Recent fMRI studies show no cortical network differences between people with conversion disorders and healthy controls.

Accepted Answer

Recent fMRI studies have actually shown differences in cortical networks between people with conversion disorders and healthy controls. These differences are often seen in regions involved in motor processing and emotional regulation.

Question 5

The experience of dissociation is strongly related to hypnotic susceptibility.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The experience of dissociation is strongly related...

Question 6

Dissociative amnesia generally entails the forgetting only of autobiographical memories.

Accepted Answer

Dissociative amnesia is a type of amnesia where individuals cannot recall important personal information, especially traumatic or stressful events. It generally affects autobiographical memories, such as memories related to one's own experiences or life events. Other types of memories, such as language, motor skills, and general knowledge, may remain intact.

Question 7

Munchausen syndrome is another name for factitious disorder.

Accepted Answer

Munchausen syndrome is indeed another name for factitious disorder, a mental illness in which a person deliberately produces, feigns or exaggerates physical or psychological symptoms in order to gain attention or sympathy.

Question 8

Clara displays the symptoms of conversion disorder. After her discharge from a brief hospital stay for observation, which type of treatment is she LEAST likely to undertake over the longer term?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Clara displays the symptoms of conversion disorder....

Question 9

A common theme in all dissociative disorders is ______.

Accepted Answer

Dissociative disorders involve a disruption in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, and/or bodily sensations. This can result in the subjective experience of detachment from oneself or one's environment, and a loss of integrated cognitive functioning. Poor self-actualization and self-esteem may be present in some individuals with dissociative disorders, but they are not the defining characteristic of these disorders. Loss of normal spatial awareness is not a common theme in dissociative disorders.

Question 10

It appears that ______ is the most effective treatment at reducing the physical symptoms, psychological distress, and disability associated with the somatic symptom disorders.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most recommended and researched treatment for somatic symptom disorders. It focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate physical symptoms and psychological distress. Studies have shown that it is effective in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life for individuals with somatic symptom disorders. Antidepressant medication may also be useful in some cases, but it is not always effective and not recommended as a standalone treatment. Family therapy and emotion-focused therapy may be helpful for addressing interpersonal issues and emotional distress, but they are not specifically targeted at somatic symptoms.

Question 11

The most common treatment approach for somatic symptom disorders is BEST described as ______.

Accepted Answer

The most common treatment approach for somatic symptom disorders includes educating the patient about the nature of their symptoms, reducing their anxiety levels, and providing coping strategies. This treatment approach is known as educational or cognitive-behavioral therapy. Biological, humanistic, and psychodynamic approaches may also be used in some cases, but they are not the most common or best-described treatments for somatic symptom disorders.

Question 12

Illness anxiety disorder was previously referred to as malingering hysteria.

Accepted Answer

Illness anxiety disorder and malingering hysteria are two distinct and separate diagnoses. Illness anxiety disorder involves a preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, despite having no or mild symptoms, while malingering hysteria involves intentionally feigning or exaggerating symptoms for secondary gain (such as financial compensation or avoiding responsibilities). The term "malingering hysteria" is no longer used in modern diagnostic criteria.

Question 13

Most people experience some sort of physical symptom at some point during a typical week.

Accepted Answer

It is common for people to experience physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, or minor aches and pains during a typical week.

Question 14

Dissociative identity disorder is sometimes treated using psychodynamic or humanistic techniques.

Accepted Answer

Dissociative identity disorder can be treated using various techniques including psychodynamic and humanistic approaches, along with cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication management.

Question 15

Individuals who experience a dissociative fugue typically adopt a new personality and lifestyle when they cannot remember their previous life.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Individuals who experience a dissociative fugue typically...

Question 16

Depersonalization generally begins in adulthood.

Accepted Answer

Depersonalization often begins in adolescence or early adulthood, but it can start at any age, including childhood.

Question 17

Dissociative identity disorder is a type of schizophrenia.

Accepted Answer

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is not a type of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that is characterized by several symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and behavior. DID, on the other hand, is a dissociative disorder that is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states that take control of an individual's behavior. The two disorders have distinct diagnostic criteria and require different forms of treatment.

Question 18

Amnesia is seen in almost every case of dissociative identity disorder.

Accepted Answer

Amnesia is a common symptom in dissociative identity disorder, where a person experiences gaps in their memory, often around traumatic events, and may experience loss of time or struggle to recall significant portions of their life.

Question 19

Which phrase BEST describes the proportion of patients with conversion disorder who will have no symptoms by the time they are discharged from medical care?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which phrase BEST describes the proportion of...

Question 20

The difference between malingering and conversion disorder is that the symptoms experienced in malingering are involuntary.

Accepted Answer

The symptoms in malingering are intentionally fabricated or exaggerated for some external gain, whereas in conversion disorder, the symptoms are not consciously produced and are believed to be a result of psychological distress.

Quiz 9: Dissociative Disorders and Somatic Symptom Disorders